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Cozy Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake with Pecans

caramel apple upside-down cake - featured image
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A warm, comforting fall dessert featuring tender apples caramelized with brown sugar and butter, topped with toasted pecans and a tender cake layer. Perfect for cozy gatherings and nostalgic moments.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (for caramel topping)
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar (preferably dark brown)
  • 1 cup chopped pecans (toasted)
  • 3 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup whole milk (or dairy-free alternative like almond milk)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (for cake batter)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Prepare the caramel topping: Melt 6 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat in your skillet or pan. Stir in 3/4 cup packed brown sugar until combined and bubbling gently (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 cup chopped toasted pecans evenly over the caramel.
  3. Slice the apples thinly (about 1/8-inch thick). Toss with 1 tablespoon lemon juice to prevent browning.
  4. Arrange the apple slices carefully over the pecans and caramel in the pan, slightly overlapping.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
  6. In a large bowl, beat 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 2 eggs until pale and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Add 1/2 cup milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup melted butter; mix until combined.
  7. Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined; avoid overmixing.
  8. Pour the batter evenly over the arranged apples in the pan and smooth the top gently.
  9. Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and edges pull slightly away from the pan.
  10. Let the cake rest for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edges to loosen, then carefully invert onto a serving plate so the caramel apple topping is on top.

Notes

Use firm, fresh apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best texture. Toast pecans separately before adding to caramel for extra crunch and aroma. Melted butter for batter should be warm, not hot, to avoid cooking eggs. Be gentle when folding batter to keep it light. Let cake rest before flipping to prevent caramel sticking. For dairy-free, substitute coconut oil for butter and almond milk for milk. For gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel apple cake, upside-down cake, fall dessert, pecan cake, easy apple dessert, autumn baking, cozy dessert

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/cozy-caramel-apple-upside-down-cake-recipe-easy-perfect-fall-dessert/